Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has convened with nonprofit groups to shelter undocumented immigrant children in L.A. while they await court hearings on whether they can remain in the United States.

KCAL9′s Bobby Kaple reports Garcetti said at a forum Tuesday the Department of Health and Human Services reached out to him about the possibility as federal authorities grapple with where to place undocumented children, fueling an ongoing debate about the nation’s immigration policies, which have led to rallies in Murrieta and across the Southland this month.

“Before you get partisan, before you tell me where you are on immigration, these are children. As a father, who are we as Americans if we do not step forward first?” Garcetti asked, noting, “I see this as not just a moral issue but as a practical one.”

Homeless activist Ted Hayes, who has lived in L.A. for three decades, opposes the idea, insisting there are American kids on city streets who need help first.

“It’s kind of a slap in the face to U.S. citizens,” Hayes said. “It’s embarrassing. It’s hurtful. Because it’s like a father saying that he loves children outside of the family more than he loves his own.”

“We feel for them,” Hayes continued. “We feel their pain. But we are feeling pain of our own children first.”

Well, Mr. Homeless Advocate USA, what do you think? That we have a room for every gringo and black kid that comes along? Who do you think we are, the ASPCA? If there aren’t enough refrigerator crates to go around, find a Dumpster and crawl in it, deadbeat.

So if you are old enough to walk, Ven al Norte. ¡Es gratis!Gang affiliations? ¡No problema! Eric Garcetti’s your new patron, esé.

Muslim terrorist with passable Spanish? Be sure to pack a toddler in your bomb vest.